E-waste recycling day ‘a success’

The Ministry of Public Works would like to thank the general public for making the e-waste recycling day the success it was.  Acting Material Recovery Officer Stephen Gilbert said on e-Waste recycling day, Saturday, March 9, 181 people attended the Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility to drop off more than a container load of their old electronic waste.

E-Waste Recycling Day events allow members of the public to do their part for the environment by participating in Bermuda’s recycling initiatives.  Items accepted at this event include anything smaller than a major appliance that requires a power cord or batteries in order to work: hairdryers, toasters, phones, microwaves, children’s toys, flashlights and of course computer and stereo equipment.

Mr. Gilbert said: “Each year, due to increased public awareness of the programme, the amount of e-Waste recycled in Bermuda has increased.  Behind the scenes, Waste Management has established relationships with electronics firms and corporate entities which bring materials for recycling on a regular basis.”

All electronic items captured through this programme are shipped to a United States Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) certified facility just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they are disassembled in a sterile working environment.  Metals are sorted by type, shipped to smelters and turned back into sheet metal and then into new consumer goods.  It is very important to keep these items out of the regular waste stream as they contain both toxic and recyclable materials that require disposal in the correct manner.

In 2011/12, the Waste Management Section exported seventeen 20 foot shipping containers of eWaste to be recycled.

For further details on correct waste disposal, please visit www.wastemanagement.gov.bm, or the “What Goes Where” section in the BTC Phone Book blue pages or e-mail [email protected].